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Explaining the world one sketch at a time
The cost of doing nothing
Inflation cuts spending power.…Inflation cuts spending power.WWW…
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The moon illusion
You may have noticed that sometimes, when the moon rises over the horizon, it seems unusually large. On several occasions, I've stopped to wonder at it shining behind the skyline—it's always a treat. However, if you stay awake long enough, you might see that later in the night, once the moon has risen higher in the sky, it has reverted to its expected size. This apparent change in size is known as the moon illusion. Great minds from Aristotle to Isaac Newton have wondered at its cause, and I was surprised to learn that its cause is still debated. The most accepted explanations suggest the illusion arises from comparing the moon as it passes the horizon with known objects, such as buildings and trees, that provide a sense of scale. Higher in the sky, we can only compare the moon to the vastness of space and the sheer size of the sky itself. To experience the full grandeur of the moon illusion, try a telephoto lens with the moon rising next to a cityscape. Related Ideas to the Moon Illusion Also see: The ring-segment illusion The impossible staircase The frequency illusion Phases of the moon Super moon The Chinese Zodiac I updated this sketch for my book Big Ideas Little Pictures (here's the original)…You may have noticed that sometimes, when the moon rises over the horizon, it seems unusually large. On several occasions, I've stopped to wonder at it shining behind the skyline—it's always a treat. However, if you stay awake long enough, you might see that later in the night, once the moon has risen higher in the sky, it has reverted to its expected size. This apparent change in size is known as the moon illusion. Great minds from Aristotle to Isaac Newton have wondered at its cause, and I was surprised to learn that its cause is still debated. The most accepted explanations suggest the illusion arises from comparing the moon as it passes the horizon with known objects, such as buildings and trees, that provide a sense of scale. Higher in the sky, we can only compare the moon to the vastness of space and the sheer size of the sky itself. To experience the full grandeur of the moon illusion, try a telephoto lens with the moon rising next to a cityscape. Related Ideas to the Moon Illusion Also see: The ring-segment illusion The impossible staircase The frequency illusion Phases of the moon Super moon The Chinese Zodiac I updated this sketch for my book Big Ideas Little Pictures (here's the original)WWW…
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Common button states
I still find somewhat remarkable the complexity in a simple button on the web. These are just 6 common states that may each have their own appearance and behaviour.…I still find somewhat remarkable the complexity in a simple button on the web. These are just 6 common states that may each have their own appearance and behaviour.WWW…
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Fold away keyboard feet
They are apparently there to help you see the keys to make it easier to type. If you can type already, fold them away — it’s better for your wrists to have no bend.…They are apparently there to help you see the keys to make it easier to type. If you can type already, fold them away — it’s better for your wrists to have no bend.WWW…
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Things get more complex before they get simple
You can see this trend in most technology products. Increasing subtleties and functions are added improving what a product can do. At some point, the complexity is sufficient to force us to focus efforts on simplification (or the benefit great enough that a simpler technology will take over) - while maintaining functionality. Classic menus migrating to context-sensitive menus; the original NES controller, to the xbox controller to Wii and Kinect control, Yahoo’s list-the-web, to Google’s search the web, multiple glasses to photochromic glasses, and so on. I believe this observation is from Edward De Bono, but I learned it from Darrell Mann. I keep finding it helpful.…You can see this trend in most technology products. Increasing subtleties and functions are added improving what a product can do. At some point, the complexity is sufficient to force us to focus efforts on simplification (or the benefit great enough that a simpler technology will take over) - while maintaining functionality. Classic menus migrating to context-sensitive menus; the original NES controller, to the xbox controller to Wii and Kinect control, Yahoo’s list-the-web, to Google’s search the web, multiple glasses to photochromic glasses, and so on. I believe this observation is from Edward De Bono, but I learned it from Darrell Mann. I keep finding it helpful.WWW…
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